The News Review:

- Thai Festival comes to Jamaica
- Myanmar’s tourism sector reels from cyclone government’s…
- Sunday Herald: Life: People Lifestyles & Living Today
- Entertainment and nature ideal honeymoon elements for middle east…
- Dubai – The Hotel Show to host 800 exhibitors
- The New Nation – Internet Edition
- Beg the question

Thai Festival comes to Jamaica
Jamaica Gleaner – Jun 8, 2008
ther activities include: tea at the Pegasus a fashion show and luxurious Thai massage at Nirvana Spa with a certified traditional Thai masseuse. There will also be a workshop in this special art on Tuesday June 17 from 1:30-3:30 p. Mini trade showThere will also be a mini trade show at the same hotel showcasing Thai products an exhibition of paintings.

Myanmar’s tourism sector reels from cyclone government’s…
International Herald Tribune – Jun 8, 2008
“How can foreign people come to Myanmar even if they're brave enough?” asked Ko Tin o. Statistics on international arrivals for May were not yet available but liver Martin of the Pacific Asia Travel Association PATA said a “substantial decrease” was expected. Maarten Groeneveld of the Bangkok Thailand branch of Diethelm Travel Asia agency said new reservations for Myanmar have stopped and many existing bookings were canceled. Any upswing would depend on “how quickly the current relief effort bears fruit and reinstates some sort of confidence internationally” Groeneveld said in an e-mail. Though the military government has strived in recent years to promote the country as a vacation destination Myanmar's underdeveloped infrastructure and dismal human rights record have made it a hard sell. Its tourism sector is minuscule compared to that of neighboring countries. In 2007 Myanmar received 248000 international travelers compared to nearly 14… “You won't see any bounce back in the short or maybe even in the medium term. ” Meanwhile those who depend on tourist dollars are feeling the pinch. Yangon's budget hotels catering to backpackers are all but empty. With few takers for their T-shirts emblazoned with images of temples or monks souvenir vendors at the Bogyoke Aung San market nap in the midday heat. Tour guides at the city's most famous landmark the golden-domed Shwedagon Pagoda sit idly waiting in vain for potential customers. Since the storm 33-year-old guide San San has spent his days chewing betel leaf in the temple's parking lot. He said that May the start of the monsoon season is generally a slow month but that he usually averages about three clients a day throughout the off season.

Sunday Herald: Life: People Lifestyles & Living Today
Sunday Herald – Jun 8, 2008
It is off limits to foreigners as is much of the country. For most visitors to Burma the dictatorship remains hidden. With its five-star hotels exotic festivals and seemingly easy-going people itis easy to see how visitors leave with an overwhelmingly positive image of the country. But the normality is deceptive. Signs of oppression are subtle and in turn more sinister: outsiders don’t see the networks of informers and the suppression of any form of dissent. Few know for example that the glittering Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon considered the spiritual heart of Burma was where Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi gave her first speech challenging the junta. advertisementBurma is currently controlled by one of the largest standing armies in South-East Asia with almost half a million men under arms… This is a country where telling a joke about the regime is punishable by seven years’ hard labour. Torture and abuse within the prison system is routine. Bo Kyi a former political prisoner now in exile in Thailand was tortured into writing a confession that wasnot true. He was made to sit in stress positions with a hood over his head. He was beaten for eight days and eight nights until he lost consciousness. After signing the made-up confession he was placed in solitary confinement. Bo Kyi was lucky to survive the ordeal; at least 130 political prisoners have died in custody.

Entertainment and nature ideal honeymoon elements for middle east…
Al-Bawaba – Jun 8, 2008
When deciding the ideal honeymoon destination newlyweds prefer more isolated locations that are known for their natural beauty and lively environment. Hyatt hotels are located in the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations including Hawaii and Florida in the US the Caribbean Indonesia India and Thailand. In addition Hyatt is also among the top choices for newly married Middle East travellers at favourite hotspot Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. “Most newlyweds looking for the perfect honeymoon opt for places that are not as busy as major cities; they want a place where they can unwind and enjoy nature but at the same time enjoy the fun and liveliness that the destination offers” said Thierry Bertin VP Sales & Marketing Hyatt International South West Asia. “We have seen a number of Hyatt properties attract a growing number of Middle East-based honeymooners in places as close as Sharm El Sheikh to properties as far as Hawaii. What is common between these destinations is that they are all ideal hideaways that still provide entertainment and many activities for guests to enjoy” Bertin added… When deciding the ideal honeymoon destination newlyweds prefer more isolated locations that are known for their natural beauty and lively environment. Hyatt hotels are located in the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations including Hawaii and Florida in the US the Caribbean Indonesia India and Thailand. In addition Hyatt is also among the top choices for newly married Middle East travellers at favourite hotspot Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. “Most newlyweds looking for the perfect honeymoon opt for places that are not as busy as major cities; they want a place where they can unwind and enjoy nature but at the same time enjoy the fun and liveliness that the destination offers” said Thierry Bertin VP Sales & Marketing Hyatt International South West Asia. “We have seen a number of Hyatt properties attract a growing number of Middle East-based honeymooners in places as close as Sharm El Sheikh to properties as far as Hawaii. What is common between these destinations is that they are all ideal hideaways that still provide entertainment and many activities for guests to enjoy” Bertin added.

Dubai – The Hotel Show to host 800 exhibitors
Infurma – Jun 8, 2008
This year we will host more than 800 exhibitors from in excess of 46 countries” said exhibition director of The Hotel Show Maggie Moore. “The regional hospitality industry is in dynamic mode and our early projections are not only being realised but exceeded. ” A recent Hotel Benchmark Survey showed the Middle East hotel industry as one of the fastest growing regions in the world exceeding both Asia Pacific and Europe with a promising outlook for the years to come. The Hotel Show and its associated Seven Star Conference provide a future perspective on key trends and drivers shaping the travel and tourism sector in a region. The size and number of country pavilions at this year’s show has grown enormously. Brazil Cyprus Greece France Germany Italy Korea Lebanon Malta Pakistan Philippines Portugal Singapore South Africa Spain Taiwan Thailand the UK and the USA are all mounting pavilions. The largest will be that of Spain covering 1143 square metres followed by Germany (984 square metres) Italy (898 square metres) and France (852 square metres)… The Hotel Show and its associated Seven Star Conference provide a future perspective on key trends and drivers shaping the travel and tourism sector in a region. The size and number of country pavilions at this year’s show has grown enormously. Brazil Cyprus Greece France Germany Italy Korea Lebanon Malta Pakistan Philippines Portugal Singapore South Africa Spain Taiwan Thailand the UK and the USA are all mounting pavilions. The largest will be that of Spain covering 1143 square metres followed by Germany (984 square metres) Italy (898 square metres) and France (852 square metres). Visitors to The Hotel Show include the regions key managing directors general managers and hotel operators purchasing managers architects designers consultants agents distributors and developers. Visitor numbers have been increasing exponentially. In 2005 the show attracted 8124 visitors 2006 saw 11500 trade visitors and decision makers at the show and in 2007 event attracted 14289 visitors a 22.

The New Nation – Internet Edition
New Nation – The New Nation – Jun 8, 2008
In recent years it has also been used by immigrant populations in the United States by young generation in the Bangladesh and occasionally as a club drug replacing ecstasy. Drug experts are warning that Britain is being targeted by Yaba producers operating out of the so-called Golden Triangle – the drug producing areas which straddle the borders of Thailand Burma and Laos. The so-called Nazi method of making Yaba was first noticed in Thailand more than 30 years ago. At the time it was legal and would be sold at petrol stations alongside soft drinks and cigarettes. Possession and supply of Yaba was criminalized by the Thai government in 1970 but the market simply went underground; at the time they were sold at gas stations and used by Thai truckers to keep awake. After many horrific long distance bus accidents and deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s campaign from 2003 onwards to eliminate drug trafficking use of the drug for bus drivers is not as widespread as it was. Yaba is known to produce a euphoric effect causing the users to have strong feelings of warmth and “connection” to those around them… In 2006-7 Yaba consumption became fashionable for the well-to-do in Bangladesh. A series of highly publicized drug raids in 2007 by authorities implicated some well-known business people there. When Mr Joynal (owner of Hotel Purbani) & his girlfriend Nikita were arrested for the allegation of Yaba smuggling it generated large media coverage. Bangladesh Police said that a raid in a Dhaka office late on Thursday netted 130000 yaba tablets and other drugs (Source: BBC; Friday 26 ctober 2007). Way of Use: Yaba tablets typically are consumed orally. The tablets sometimes are flavored like candy (grape orange or vanilla). Another common method is called chasing the dragon.

Beg the question
NEWS.com.au – Jun 8, 2008
At best many travellers feel ineffectual and embarrassed and at worst some transform into the uncaring ugly Westerner. But there are many practical and positive ways to make a difference. Kristie Kellahan a writer who regularly volunteers at an orphanage in Chiang Mai northern Thailand suggests contacting aid organisations such as the. She advises travellers to think about what they are giving and avoid pushing Western values on to different cultures… All money goes directly to the masseuses for whom extreme poverty would otherwise be a certainty. sunrisechildrensvillage.

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